I've been looking at these Twinpower reels too for a Dobyns Extreme 702 S with the newer tangle free guides. The first stripper guide seems quite small in diameter...barely 5/8" opening...I have a 2500 Sustain FG but it seems like the spool diameter would be too large and you would get lots of line ...

I've resisted touching a Stella or the Certate/Steez reels. I'm pretty sure gospel music starts playing when you turn the handle...

I have a Sustain FG 2500 and a stradic FJ 1000 and a 2500. All the spools move up and down a bit regardless of how tight the drag is set. If you pop the spool off, you'll notice the spool shaft is moves up and down...it's not the spool moving on the shaft. It's the same on the rest of my spinning re...

Bass Pro has their Crankin' Sticks on sale for 69.97. Those seem to get good reviews. They have 6' to 7'10" and ML-MH.

How has the build quality been? I'm ocd about guide alignment and dead straight blanks. None of the Gander Mnts. or other places by me that carry 13's ice rods/reels are going to be stocking these rods for whatever reason.

Check the drag. It may be backed all the way off. Tighten the drag and it may work as normal. I back the drag all the way off my reels when I'm not using them. With the drag backed all the way out, I can turn the handle and the spool will not spin on most of them.